Nigeria's first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod (Manu-Tech UniPod) has been inaugurated at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia State. The project is a partnership involving the Federal Government, United Nations Development Programme, Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Abia State Government.
Representing the Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima GCON, the Honourable Minister of Education, Maruf Olatunji Alausa CON, said the UniPod demonstrates the Federal Government's commitment to transforming universities into centres for innovation, entrepreneurship, research commercialisation and job creation.
Dr Alausa emphasized that universities should move beyond traditional teaching and research to become engines of enterprise development, technology transfer and industrial competitiveness, supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
His excellency Alex Otti Governor of Abia State! said locating the UniPod in Abia reflects confidence in the state's potential as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region manufacturing and industrial hub.
United Nations Assistant Secretary - General H. E Ahunna Eziakonwa described the Innovation Pod as a platform to unlock the creativity and innovative capacity of African youth.And The Resident Representative of UNDP Elsie Attafuah said the project aligns with UNDP's broader goal of building Africa's largest innovation ecosystem, supporting startups and high-growth ventures across the continent.
The Vice-Chancellor of MOUAU, Prof Ursula Akanwa, described the inauguration as a landmark achievement that will strengthen the university's mandate in science, technology, manufacturing and enterprise development.
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